AnnuAl REPORT 10/11 - Grow Wellington

OPtimisinG manuFaCtuRinG
GOinG On stROnG
the Grow Wellington Optimising manufacturing
Programme continues to achieve its objectives with
ongoing positive feedback from both large-scale
manufacturers and participating graduates.
The Optimising Manufacturing Programme has continued
into its second year with further pick-up from large scale
companies and continued success both in terms of outcomes
for the companies involved and the graduate students
participating in the Programme.
The Programme was established by Grow Wellington to help
manufacturing companies be more competitive as well as address
the lack of graduates entering the sector, and the need for
graduates to gain industry experience. The scheme is supported
by the Ministry of Science and Innovation (MSI) and represents
a low risk for participating companies in terms of investment.
After 18 months, graduates have the opportunity for permanent
employment with the companies they have completed the
Programme with, or on the open market.
“With manufacturing products continuing to contribute
substantially to New Zealand’s exports at almost 65% of GDP,
creating opportunities for genuine growth and increased
efficiencies in this sector are a priority for us,” says Geoff Copps,
Grow Wellington’s Manufacturing Sector Manager.
One of the participating companies in the Optimising
Manufacturing Programme is the Wairarapa food manufacturer
Hansells New Zealand Ltd. Hansells began operating as a
manufacturer of culinary essences in 1934. Today, more than
350 people work at the factories in Masterton and Auckland
and subsidiaries in Australia and Britain.
Hansells has an on-going and productive relationship with
Grow Wellington and the Optimising Manufacturing Programme,
having been involved in the scheme from its inception.
Hansells’ Masterton site Operation Manager, Bruce
Green, has found the scheme positive, with the benefits
exceeding expectations.
“It’s been as much of a learning exercise for us as for the
graduates,” says Green. “Having some fresh young minds come
in and challenge what we are doing and why has become the
primary benefit of the scheme. We were sceptical at first, but
both graduates have contributed positive work and we now
see an ongoing place for this scheme.”
Graduate Andre van Schalkwyk has been at Hansells as part
of the Optimising Manufacturing Programme since early
2010, working to optimise the flow of goods and services to
and from production and laying the groundwork for further
lean management.
“Hansells has been incredibly accommodating, supplying me
with effective leadership throughout the process while allowing
me a great deal of autonomy,” says Andre.
Geoff Copps from Grow Wellington is very pleased with the
progress of the Programme.
“the Optimising manufacturing
Programme is a classic win-win
programme. the companies get a smart
pair of hands to make positive change
in their operation and the graduates get
“real work” experience, which will set
them up for their future leadership roles
in the manufacturing sector, hopefully
in this region.”
Image courtesy of Hansells Food Group Ltd
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